Details
[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. GATES, Horatio (1728-1806), Major General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("Horatio Gates," with flourish) TO ROBERT MORRIS (1734-1806), Albany, [N.Y.], 22 April 1777. 1 page, 4to, integral blank, evidence of attachment on left edge, otherwise fine.
GATES TAKES COMMAND OF THE NORTHERN THEATER. A fine war-date letter which furnishes a glimpse of Gates' grandiose self-image and willingness to cast aspersions on his rivals. To Robert Morris, an influential member of the Continental Congress, one month after he was given command of the Northern District he writes "I beg you will be particularly attentive to the Letters I have by this conveyance sent to Congress. Pray let not the requests I make be thrown Disregarded by. All is at Risque and by the constant & indefatigable workings of the Tories, cooperating with the Enemy." Gates boldly predicts future Btitish strategy in the North: "I am confirmed in my Opinion That the Great push will yet be made up this River." Indeed, the British had planned a major campaign for 1777 with the focus of seizing the Hudson River and splitting the Northern colonies from those in the South.
Gates command of the Northern District was partly the result of his own personal intrigues in Congress. The former commander there, General Philip Schuyler, was generally unpopular in the New England colonies, and by carfully sabatoging his reputation in Congress, they ensured that Gates would obtain the critical command at Albany. Here, he glorifies his own abilities while mocking those of Schuyler, who had graciously accepted an inferior role and gave as much assistance to Gates as possible; "it is well I did not lose a moment in getting to Albany where I am Grieved to see every thing so backward."
The jockeying for command was not yet over, though. Schuyler appealed to Washington and then to Congress in April, who clarified the line of command by placing Gates subordinate to Schuyler. But after the loss of Ticonderoga, in August 1777, as General Burgoyne's expeditionary army approached Albany from the north, Gates was again named to replace Schuyler and was credited with the great victory at Saratoga.
GATES TAKES COMMAND OF THE NORTHERN THEATER. A fine war-date letter which furnishes a glimpse of Gates' grandiose self-image and willingness to cast aspersions on his rivals. To Robert Morris, an influential member of the Continental Congress, one month after he was given command of the Northern District he writes "I beg you will be particularly attentive to the Letters I have by this conveyance sent to Congress. Pray let not the requests I make be thrown Disregarded by. All is at Risque and by the constant & indefatigable workings of the Tories, cooperating with the Enemy." Gates boldly predicts future Btitish strategy in the North: "I am confirmed in my Opinion That the Great push will yet be made up this River." Indeed, the British had planned a major campaign for 1777 with the focus of seizing the Hudson River and splitting the Northern colonies from those in the South.
Gates command of the Northern District was partly the result of his own personal intrigues in Congress. The former commander there, General Philip Schuyler, was generally unpopular in the New England colonies, and by carfully sabatoging his reputation in Congress, they ensured that Gates would obtain the critical command at Albany. Here, he glorifies his own abilities while mocking those of Schuyler, who had graciously accepted an inferior role and gave as much assistance to Gates as possible; "it is well I did not lose a moment in getting to Albany where I am Grieved to see every thing so backward."
The jockeying for command was not yet over, though. Schuyler appealed to Washington and then to Congress in April, who clarified the line of command by placing Gates subordinate to Schuyler. But after the loss of Ticonderoga, in August 1777, as General Burgoyne's expeditionary army approached Albany from the north, Gates was again named to replace Schuyler and was credited with the great victory at Saratoga.
Special notice
Tax exempt.